Posted on 11/17/2017 9:09:59 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
At the next table in the cafe where I was working this morning, a young woman spent a whole hour talking excitedly to her older companion about herself, her hopes and aspirations for her job, her romantic relationship and her home. It was hard to avoid the impression that she thought herself the centre of the Universe, her dreams eminently fascinating and important.
Is this simply what young people or “millennials” (people born after 1980) are like these days? Fuelled by the endless opportunity for self-promotion and self-reflection on social media, combined with a wider culture that’s arguably placed greater emphasis on the importance of self-esteem than learning, have young people’s personalities changed from earlier generations to become more narcissistic and selfish?
Psychologists are divided. Some say the evidence that the young have become “Generation Me” is overwhelming, yet others counter just as strongly that this simply isn’t true. Meanwhile, more encouraging evidence is emerging to show positive trends in how our personalities seem to be changing over time, similar to the way that intelligence has increased over the generations.
The most vocal proponent of the view that young people today are more narcissistic and self-centred than in previous generations is psychologist Jean Twenge at San Diego State University, California, who has been studying the shift for more than 15 years.
Twenge believes that the rise in narcissism has its roots in cultural changes, especially the increased focus on individualism through the last few decades. For example, with parents, and society as a whole, today arguably placing greater value on young people’s individual achievement over their civic duty.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
In other words, lookit how we were raised and lookit how we were indoctrinated.
Gen Z, who I really identify with more, is far less trusting because reality no longer matches what the libs are trying to indoctrinate them with.
I believe the rise in narcissism has its roots in the growing number of one-child families.
I bet when it's their azz in pain they won't be so lackadaisical.
Dang, I sound like an old man. Hehehe.
Working with them can be a pain, too.
I keep hearing from the higher ups that my gripes are just a “generational” thing and that I just have to understand that they have “different standards.”
We have 4 adult children and 2 daughters-in-law. Of these 6, 3 served in the Marine Corps, and did a combined 5 tours in Iraq. Two are nurses, and one is a police officer.
They were all born between 1981 and 1988.
Maybe they are not “the norm”, but at least evidence that all millennials are not completely self-serving.
I think you are on to something there. I think that only children are more likely to have been raised thinking they are really “special”, and having expectations that everyone will recognize their wonderfulness.
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Twenge believes that the rise in narcissism has its roots in cultural changes, especially the increased focus on individualism through the last few decades. For example, with parents, and society as a whole, today arguably placing greater value on young people’s individual achievement over their civic duty.
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Sorry, but in this age of Socialism-forward, I haven’t heard SPIT re: ‘civic duty’. More so along the lines of ‘it takes a village’ (IE: pay your taxes so the POOR poor can get your time/property/$$), to hell w/ one’s 5th/13th Rights.
IMO, more in line w/ mom/dad wanting to be FRIENDS instead of PARENTS, thinking *their* little snowflake is (more) special than ANYONE else. Catering to their brood’s every whim and desire. Add to that the ‘shock & horror’ should a hand be placed upon a behind or slapped...
Deplorable parents are undoubtedly advising Deplorable millenials to hang up when a telemarketer calls, or walk away from dopes with clipboards, thus causing an underweighting in polls. Thus, any poll etc speaking of Millenials being this or that are suspect.
Finally, remember that by most accounts, at the time of the Revolution, 20% were Loyalists, 33-45% were Patriots, and the rest were ballast. If you replace Loyalist with statist, and Patriots with Deplorables, we are right where we started.
I thnk we are seeing history repeat itself. The left/Loyalists are painting the Patriots/Deplorables as intransigent dolts who must be brought to their knees and Kiss the Ring, for their own good. In turn, the Patriots/Deplorables are not going quietly into the night, using new media to outsmart the Establishment and bring otherwise neutral parties to the side of truth and freedom.
In turn, the kids of Deplorables likely are as much "underground" as are their parents in polls, etc. The whining Antifa losers get all the airtime. Where the Deplorable, responsible Millenials ARE visible, among other places, is on memes and the like....have you ever seen how many pro-Trump meme pics there are vs anti-Trump? I doubt that's coming from a bunch of geezers. And, as noted here, the younger military personnel are, well, MILLENIALS.
Thus, I wouldn't so easily assume the millenials are largely commies or narcissistic oafs.
Millennials are the “participation trophy” generation. They’re going to be very socially destructive failures.
Luckily GenZers seem to have their heads screwed on a little bit tighter.
We can all hope your theory is right.
I deal with them daily as well. About 75% of those I encounter are like you said. They just sit, look at their phones and behave like zombies and trying to use verbal communication, why you might as well send smoke signals or speak in Latin.
The other 25% seem to behave like normal human beings, that being said a good 75% of them are the laziest humans I have ever encountered, just sorrier than whale S*&% spoiled rotten lazy. It is frightening to think that if I have to ever go to a nursing home these cretins will be taking care of me. I hope I pass before that happens.
I’d bet your “Gripes”
are things like;
INTEGRITY!
Among many others, sad to say.
I try to look are their situation from their perspective AMAP, though.
I’m convinced their negative qualities pretty much boil down to the worst job that one generation has done of parenting another in God knows how long.
I blame the boomers. And I are one.
I Are One too.
But...
The deck Has been stacked against us.
I’m a community college teacher. Dealing with millennials has always been very trying. They are so...weak. They cannot handle any struggle whatsoever, they all deserve an A just for showing up, they want to talk about important issues, yet only “scream” what they here on social media, and I mean scream because once they begin losing the argument, they go into “loud” mode. They cannot, and will not, put down their phones to save their very soul. Most have severe drug issues, and lack of relationship skills. Most can’t hold a job and would never dream of doing manual labor, beneath them. I hope is just being young, but this generation can’t seem to break the mold they’ve been made of.
I had dreams at one time of becoming a professor in a college of nursing.
Too many reasons why I’m glad that didn’t happen.
Same with the millennials in our extended family. There are 4 guys and 3 daughter in laws and 1 son in law (added bonus 5 grandkid.)
We say they must be outliers in these polls because they are employed, own homes, married young, 5 have graduate degrees...two of the DIL's are SAH moms. It seems any stat they name about millennials our family's don't fit in.
There's great peace to know they've all "launched" and are doing well.
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